Ovarian Hormone Regulation of Central and Cerebrovascular Hemodynamics (NoMEN Study)

Inclusion Criteria: Healthy premenopausal, early perimenopausal and postmenopausal women will be recruited. Premenopausal women will have regular menstrual cycles, with no change in observed cycle length (21-35 days), confirmed by menstrual cycle calendars. Early perimenopausal will be defined as a change in cycle length of \>7 days from normal with no skipped periods and/or a FSH \<25 IU/L (with discretion of the study MD). Postmenopausal women will have gone through natural (i.e., non-surgical) menopause with \>12 months but \<6 years of amenorrhea. We will make a major effort to ensure that the women enrolled in this study come from all races and ethnicities and a wide range of socioeconomic and educational levels. Exclusion Criteria: * Seated resting blood pressure \>140/90 mmHg * Use of medications that might influence cardiovascular function or cerebral blood flow; * Pregnant, currently breastfeeding or intention to become pregnant in the next 6 months; * Use of menopausal therapy or hormonal contraceptives, etc. within the previous 3 months or intent to start during the study period; * BMI \>39 kg/m2; * Vigorous intensity exercise \>2 days per week; * Any current or past history of systemic illness that would interfere with study outcomes such as: diabetes, cancer (other than melanoma), liver, gallbladder disease, peripheral artery disease or thromboembolism, neurological disease, CVD or cerebrovascular disease; * Abnormal thyroid, liver, or kidney function testing d…